Nurse Response Earns National Recognition for its Innovative Member Education Program

ST. LOUIS, MO, June 10, 2013 (Press-News.org) Nurse Response, a provider of multilingual telehealth services, was honored to take home a first place win, as well as place as a finalist in three other categories, in Dorland Health's Fourth Annual Case in Point Platinum Awards.

The announcement was made at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. The Case In Point Platinum Awards recognize the most successful and innovative case management and care coordination programs working to improve today's complex healthcare system.

For its Emergency Department Cost Avoidance in Pediatric Medicaid Recipients program, Nurse Response took home the top honor in the following category:

Case Management in Acute Settings: Emergency Department: Saluting the emergency department case management program that ensures patients have access and utilize the most appropriate setting to match their health care needs in the least restrictive setting.

Also, for its Emergency Department Cost Avoidance in Pediatric Medicaid Recipients program, Nurse Response was a finalist in the following categories:

Case Management in Managed Care: Nurse Call Center: Honoring the best call center that provides patients an effective and efficient resource to gain information, resources and guidance regarding health and heath care issues.

Case Management Specialty Programs: Pediatric Case Management: Highlighting innovative programs that work with infants, children and adolescents and their families to meet the medical, physical and behavioral healthcare needs throughout the care continuum.

Case Management in Managed Care: Utilization Management Program: Innovative programs that ensure efficient use of healthcare resources and ensure they meet evidence-based requirements and the specific needs of the patient.

"We are honored to receive recognition for our health care education initiatives. This recognition is the result of our long-standing dedication to provide quality healthcare service and programs to those we serve," said Kimberly D. Tuck, RN, Chief Executive Officer of Nurse Response. "Our Emergency Department education program guides and educates members to make the most appropriate care choices for themselves and their family members. We believe that by providing knowledge and tools, those we care for become empowered to make the right decisions for their health needs."

"The data confirms that a decrease in Emergency Department utilization occurs when informed consumer decision-making is promoted and in-the-moment support is provided through a 24/7 nurse advice line," said Dana M. Houle, RN, BSN, MHM, CCM, Director of Quality Improvement of Nurse Response.

The process for the Emergency Department education program was three-fold:
• Outreach - Engage consumers in the discussion of when and how to seek care.
• Education - Provide consumers the information they need about what after-hours care they can access and where to find it.
• Empowerment - Provide tools, resources and around the clock support of nurse triage services so consumers can seek the right care for their given situation and experience positive health outcomes.

Members who participated in the EDE Program visited the Emergency Department more for urgent treatment and less for non-urgent treatment than the non-assessed members. Members also demonstrated they had a greater understanding of alternative resources and were empowered to manage their care with their physicians. The program showed a 7.9% improvement in the proportion of non-urgent visits to the Emergency Department versus emergent visits in those assessed equaling an estimated annualized savings of $1.3 million.

About The Case In Point Awards Program
The Case In Point Awards Program is produced by Dorland Health, the publisher of Case In Point, Case In Point Weekly, the Case Management Resource Guide and the Case In Point Learning Network. The Program sets the standard for recognizing professionals and organizations who demonstrate sustained success across a variety of models and settings in the overarching continuum of care coordination. The Case In Point Platinum Awards Program, like no other awards program in the industry, provides the opportunity for professionals and organizations to highlight their work, be publicly recognized and come together with their peers to celebrate their successes in a way that elevates the entire industry. For more information, visit dorlandhealth.com/Case-In-Point-Platinum-Awards/2013-finalists/.

About Nurse Response
Nurse Response is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation that is in the business of providing multilingual telehealth services. We partner with health plans, hospitals, providers, colleges and universities, and other specialty organizations to ensure all callers have access to high quality, appropriate care. Our services are designed to encourage callers to become active participants in their healthcare, engaging in activities that promote appropriate utilization of care resources as well as better health outcomes for individuals and their families. We have provided uninterrupted service every day since 1995. Nurse Response experienced Customer Care Professionals and Registered Nurses at our call centers across the country provide Care.Right.Now. through delivery of health information, education, and advice in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner. For more information, please visit our website http://www.nurseresponse.com or contact us today at info@nurseresponse.com.